Concepts in Bioinformatics and Genomics

Concepts in Bioinformatics and Genomics takes a conceptual approach to its subject, balancing biology, mathematics, and programming, while highlighting relevant real-world applications. Topics are developed from the fundamentals up like in an introductory textbook. This is a comprehensive book for students enrolled in their first course in bioinformatics. A compelling case study gene, the TP53 gene, a human tumor suppressor with strong clinical applications, runs throughout, engaging students with a continuously relevant example. The textbook thoroughly describes basic principles of probability as they lead up to the concept of expectation value (E-value) and its use in sequence alignment programs. Concepts in Bioinformatics and Genomics also describes, from a mathematical perspective, the development of the Hidden Markov Model and how it can be used to align sequences in multiple sequence alignment programs. Finally, it introduces students to programming exercises directly related to bioinformatics problems. These thought-provoking exercises stretch the students' imaginations and learning, giving them a deeper understanding of software programs, molecular biology, basic probability, and program-coding methodology underpinning the discipline. They will have the tools necessary to compute biological data.

Jamil Momand has been a professor of biochemistry at California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) since 1999. Dr. Momand received the Cal State LA Outstanding Professor Award for the 2014-2015 academic year.

Alison McCurdy is a Professor of Chemistry at California State University, Los Angeles. She was the recipient of the 2009 California State University Distinguished Woman Award.